The Lagos State Police Command has defended the actions of a female officer following public backlash over a viral stop-and-search video recorded in the FESTAC area of Lagos.
The footage, widely circulated on X, captured the officer conducting a physical search on a woman who later accused her of inappropriate touching during the encounter.
Reacting to the controversy on Sunday, the Command maintained that the officer acted within the bounds of the Police Act 2020, which authorises officers to stop and search individuals in public spaces as part of crime prevention and public safety efforts.
In an official statement, the police said they had taken note of the viral video and stressed that the officer’s conduct aligned with legal provisions guiding such operations.
“The action of the officer, as seen in the video, falls within the provisions of the Police Act, 2020, which empowers police officers to stop and search individuals in public places in the course of crime prevention and public safety duties,” the statement read.
The Command further clarified that standard procedure requires female suspects to be searched by female officers, noting that the search in question adhered to this guideline.
It also justified the thorough nature of such searches, citing past incidents where individuals concealed illegal items in unconventional places, including wigs, clothing, and personal belongings.
“Indeed, there have been several instances where individuals conceal illicit substances, weapons, or other incriminating items in unconventional places… necessitating thorough but lawful searches,” the statement added.
While urging calm, the police called on members of the public to cooperate during stop-and-search operations, emphasising that such collaboration is vital for effective policing and crime prevention.
